1. Diodes What it is A diode is a semiconductor device that conducts current primarily in one direction, enabling rectification, protection, and switching in electronic circuits. Key benefits Protects against reverse polarity and voltage spikes Enables rectification of AC to DC in power supplies Supports fast switching and signal conditioning Compact form factors support flexible board layouts Compatibility and use Designed to integrate with standard PCB layouts and conventional assembly processes Available in compact packages suitable for space constrained designs Size and material Semiconductor diode construction Various sizes in standard package styles to suit different board designs Material: semiconductor diode construction suitable for a range of types Performance Built for reliable operation in typical electronic environments Ratings and performance depend on the specific model and application Use scenarios Rectifying AC in a small power supply or charger Providing reverse polarity protection for a battery powered device Clamping or demodulating signals in RF or audio circuits